Student Engagement & Wellbeing

Overview

At Torquay College, we prioritise student wellbeing through a comprehensive whole-school approach designed to foster growth, resilience, and positive relationships.
Our practices integrate the Berry Street Education Model, School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support and the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program, equipping students with lifelong skills and strategies to independently manage their wellbeing.
We hold clear expectations for behaviour and teach these explicitly, in order to achieve our goal for all students to feel safe, happy, and ready to learn.
By promoting respect, friendship and doing your best, we cultivate a positive school community which stands united against bullying and discrimination to ensure inclusivity for all.

Wellbeing Spaces

We are proud of the designated Wellbeing spaces located within our school.
Students can access quiet play time or ‘chill zone’ time in the larger Wellbeing room, which is open during recess and lunch time and supervised by staff.
There is also a Wellbeing space located near the Year Six pods, open to all students when they are with Wellbeing Staff or Education Support Staff.
This space can also be utilised by students who are challenged temporarily with ‘School Can’t’ Behaviours, in conjunction with Wellbeing and Families working in partnership.

Wellbeing Staff

Our Wellbeing Staff members in this area are Steve Brew, Student Engagement and Wellbeing and Janelle Polwarth, Mental Health, Wellbeing and Transition Leader.

Wellbeing Support

At Torquay College we value Student Wellbeing and offer a range of ways we engage with students to promote positive mental health and wellbeing

• Short-term wellbeing support focused on school-related issues (e.g., friendship challenges, emotional regulation at school, organisational skills).
• Targeted social–emotional skill development such as social skills groups or regulation strategies.
• Brief check-ins with wellbeing staff, when appropriate, to maintain safety and support engagement.
• Adjustment planning (IEPs, BSPs, Safety Plans) to support the student in accessing learning.
• When applicable, assisting with providing a referral process to external services.

These supports are designed to improve the student’s ability to engage in learning, friendship groups and social and emotional regulation, however not to act as ongoing, professional therapeutic treatment.

Accessing Support

Students can access Wellbeing Support a number of ways:

• Speaking with your child’s classroom teacher to discuss wellbeing concerns. The classroom teacher can then place a referral to the Student Engagement and Wellbeing (SEW) Team to discuss and respond to. Similarly, the classroom teacher may have wellbeing concerns regarding your child and speak to you about placing a Wellbeing Referral.
• Contacting Wellbeing Staff (Steve or Janelle) directly with your wellbeing concerns, either in person or via phone or Compass Connect.